For two decades, Frank Eckhardt has worked to build a rural, self-sustaining utopia in the wooded hills of Cape Breton, and encouraged other German-speaking immigrants to quit the mother country and join him.
But according to the Nova Scotia RMCP, Mr. Eckhardt may have taken things too far with some of his clients who he helped start a new life in Canada.
Mr. Eckhardt, 56, was arrested last week and charged with extortion, after a falling out with a pair of German nationals who moved to Cape Breton on temporary work visas in December, 2020. The RCMP became involved following a rental dispute connected to a gym the pair were running in a leased space in St. Peters, a village near the Bras d’Or Lake.
It’s alleged Mr. Eckhardt threatened to report the couple to immigration officials and have them deported after they attempted to end their lease with him, unless they gave him “money or property,” according to the RCMP.
“They’re here on temporary work visas, so if they can’t make income, they lose that work visa and it makes it very complicated to try to stay in the country,” said Corporal Chris Marshall of the Nova Scotia RCMP, who added police are also trying to speak to other former clients who may have since returned to Europe. (more...)
Cape Breton land developer charged with extortion
Background:
German couple buys land in Cape Breton, gets Nazi material too
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